MEPs discuss EU trade policy with Commissioner Karel de Gucht

MEPs quizzed trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht MEPs on the US position in transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) talks and the findings of the EU Commission’s public consultation on TTIP proposals on investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms. Some wondered about fate of a proposed trade deal with Canada, which has been described as „to be signed soon" for a year already, and asked that Parliament be given more access to trade talks documents.

Mr de Gucht and MEPs also discussed whether EU trade policy serves broader foreign policies effectively, particularly with regard to events in Gaza and Ukraine. Other issues raised included the World Trade Organization „Bali package” to lower trade barriers, the EU’s recent trade deal with Ecuador and the state of play in Economic Partnership Agreements with African countries.